dog eye blind and bulging?

Rollodog · 07-05-2011

Before you say i need to go to the vet... we HAVE taken her to the vet and she is on prednizone currently but we still have many questions.

In the winter she went blind in the right eye and was put on prednizone. This seemed to help her feel better since she had become lethargic and was not eating. After she started feeling better, the eye started to bulge. Now, many months later, we have a fairly chubby dog since shes on prednizone with a big bulging blind cloudy(blue colored) eye... the vet never told us what this was that is causing it. Either a tumor or glaucoma, we dont know! We cant get her treatment since we have no answers. We WILL switch vets soon...this is not ok. But id like to know if anyone knows what this sounds like?

If it helps, she is a 7 year old labrador mix. Always has been healthy and energetic.

Yogi · 07-05-2011

This sounds very much like Glaucoma.

http://www.discountpetmedicines.com/glaucoma-in-dog.htm
Dog Eye Problems - The 8 Most Common & Treatment Options

Rollodog · 07-05-2011

If it is glaucoma, do labradors usually get it? Should i take her to the vet to make sure the other eye doesnt go blind? Can tumors cause glaucoma? How come the prednizone helped her if it was only glaucoma? Sorry for so many questions...

Yogi · 07-05-2011

Prednisone like most steroids are anti inflammation drugs designed to travel through the blood stream to infected areas. They are designed to help in swelling reduction and easing of pain.
Intraocular tumors can cause glaucoma so yes, a tumor could be responsible.
But glaucoma can be caused by nothing more than a head injury that may have gone unnoticed.
Having glaucoma in one eye does not necessarily mean it will occur in the other. It depends on how or what caused it.
You are best to contact a canine eye specialist to help with this. Your vet
should have one he can refer you to.

Rollodog · 07-05-2011

I hope its not anything too serious. She has a vet appointment tomorrow.
Thank you for the information

PatrickCampbell · 07-07-2011

I think your dog is infected with glaucoma. The most visible symptoms of glaucoma is swelling or bulging in the dogs eyes. It usually begins in one eye, but in most dogs it happens in both eyes. There’s one way to diagnose glaucoma early enough to get successful treatment by using a small device (tonometer) that measures pressure within a dog’s eye. It’s a simple glaucoma test that can be done in your vet‘s office.

Yogi · 07-07-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickCampbell

I think your dog is infected with glaucoma. The most visible symptoms of glaucoma is swelling or bulging in the dogs eyes. It usually begins in one eye, but in most dogs it happens in both eyes. There’s one way to diagnose glaucoma early enough to get successful treatment by using a small device (tonometer) that measures pressure within a dog’s eye. It’s a simple glaucoma test that can be done in your vet‘s office.

As there are 2 different phases of Glaucoma, your remark that it it usually begins in one eye but in most dogs it happens in both eyes is incorrect. This is only with regards to "primary" glaucoma and even then only certain breeds of which this breed is not one of them.
Secondary glaucoma does not stipulate a concern that both eyes can be effected.
As for the tonometer, this is not the only means, there are several units designed for the purpose of measuring pressure on the eye.
If you note, this is why it is advisable that the dog be taken to a canine eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
There is nothing in the OP's remarks that indicate that if in fact it is glaucoma that it is primary or secondary. This is why members do not state in fact when there is no fact to state only guesses based on what is told and not seen.

Rollodog · 07-10-2011

I think she has secondary glaucoma because she is a lab and that does fall under the primary glaucoma dog breed list. I want to know this more than anything...is glaucoma deadly? Can it shorten my dogs life? Id rather have a blind but living dog way more than no dog!

Yogi · 07-10-2011

Dogs with glaucoma are in danger of becoming blind

Canine Health Problems by Breed
There is nothing that indicates that a dog can die from glaucoma. Generally all the writings pertain to the discomfort and addressing these with medications.

Rollodog · 08-05-2011

two weeks ago she had her eye removed and is revovering greatly. thanks for all the advice...it was glaucoma. her eye pressure was 80, as normal is 20

CorkyMax · 08-05-2011

Thank you for the update! Sorry to hear the eye had to be removed but on the upside---at least it wasn't a tumor. And you say she is recovering greatly----That is also good news and still having one good eye---in time you will probably see that it isn't affecting her life that much and she will be back to her old self with no problems.